Join Our Writing Workshops in Japan

Are you a wannabe travel writer or an aspiring journalist with itchy feet? Do you want to spend a month in the Land of the Rising Sun learning a language, studying with media industry pros and getting real-world writing experience?

We’re on the hunt for a team of hobos who want to live, work and study in Tokyo – one of the world’s coolest capitals. Over the course of four weeks, you’ll be living and breathing all of Tokyo’s quirks, attending daily writing workshops taught by passionate young people from the media industry and studying Japanese with a top language school. In your spare time, you’ll will be writing their butts off, preparing two pieces to be pitched and published online and putting together a comprehensive city guidebook in teams.

The course has been expertly designed to be a bridge between studying and entering the workforce as a freelance writer, starting a publication or transforming your own blog into a workable commodity. If you’re a high-school leaver, it’s the perfect mini escape before you hit the books again next year. If you’re already in the throes of university and studying journalism or communications, you may be eligible for a full subject’s credit. And if you’re not studying and you’re just on the hunt for a sweet project that combines travel and writing, this is the ultimate opportunity to get some real-world industry experience.

You’ll be living in Yanesen – one of the cutest and oldest (and safest!) parts of Tokyo just 25 minutes by train from the centre. Accommodation will be Japanese-style hotel rooms: tatami mats, futons and all, just down the road from a traditional bathhouse. Your writing and language classes will be held between colourful Shinjuku and the polished business district of Ginza, a hop away from Tokyo’s famous fish markets (hellooOoo fresh sushi).

Space in Japan’s capital is a limited and expensive commodity (which maybe explains dog cafes), so we’ve prepared a choice between two living options depending on your stinginess. You can either bunk with a fellow hobo in a twin room, or you can splash out and treat yourself to a private room.

Don’t stress if you don’t know anyone else coming along – meeting new people is the point, and we’ll match you up with a sick roomie.

What you get:

Daily travel-writing and blogging workshops with a range of editors, writers and producers from the media industry (think publications like Global Hobo, Your Friend’s House, VICE, Tone Deaf and more). Classes will cover topics such as travel-narrative writing, pitching to editors, building a brand and working as a freelancer on the road in exchange for sweet, sweet cash.

30 hours of small-group Japanese language classes with a reputable Tokyo school

One month’s accommodation in Japanese-style hotel rooms, complete with WiFi and easy access to public transport.

A Japanese cooking class

Potential university credit

Note that flights are not included! Sorry, but we couldn’t possibly tee up deals with every airline and from every city in the world.

Cost:

$3599 per person to cover twin-share accommodation, language classes, cooking school and writing workshops. If you want your own room, the price will be raised to $3999.

Note that this price is in Australian dollars.

Upcoming Program Dates:

November 26 – December 23, 2018

January 7 – February 3, 2019

June 24 – July 21, 2019

Successful applicants will be intelligent, open-minded creatives looking for some real-world journalism experience and to get a taste of Tokyo’s weirdness and wonder. The ability to work well in a group is essential. Do note though that the course is just that: a course. You don’t need to already have a foot in the door of the media industry to apply, nor do you already need to be the best writer. All the skills you’ll need to start sculpting your words like a pro and getting published will be taught as part of the curriculum. In fact, many students often keep working for Global Hobo on a freelance basis once the course is over.

If you’d like to read some reviews of our programs from previous hobos, suss our testimonials page. For all terms and conditions associated with our Japan workshops, click here.

To Apply:

Name *

Email *

Phone Number *

Give us your calling code too so we can text you if you get in!

Age

It's just a number, but you've gotta be at least 18...

Where are you from?

Town/City, Country

Which program are you applying for? *

Bali June/July 2019

Bali Nov/Dec 2019

Japan Jan/Feb 2019

Japan June/July 2019

Japan Nov/Dec 2019

Spain June/July 2019

Spain August/September 2019

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Why do you want to do this program?

Got any mad skills, or a writing presence to link us to?

No pressure - total rookies are still welcome to apply.

Do you speak the language of the country you are applying to?

Absolute Beginner

Intermediate

Fluent

This has no impact on your application -- we just wanna know so we can stream the language classes properly.

Are you at uni? If so, which one?

How did you hear about us?

Comment

Is a month in Bali scooting around rice paddies, exploring lush beaches and hiking volcanoes at dawn more up your alley? Come do our writing workshops in Canggu instead.

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What we do

A hub for world-savvy dirtbags who like to roam.
We trot the globe on a shoestring, respect the locals and keep it green, offering rad destination guides, thought-provoking stories and travel-writing workshops all over the world.